How to measure your room for a floor plan

A simple measuring checklist for a more useful first plan.

Start with a rough sketch

Draw the room outline on paper first. Mark doors, windows, recesses and fixed items. Give every wall a letter so that your notes stay readable even when the room has an unusual shape.

Measure the full perimeter

Record wall-to-wall measurements consistently. Include alcoves and projecting sections. Measure the room more than once and compare opposite walls. If a corner is not square, record a diagonal as a cross-check rather than forcing a rectangular plan.

Locate the openings

For each door or window, measure the distance from a nearby corner to the opening, then the opening width. Note the door hinge and direction of swing. For windows, record sill height separately if it affects furniture placement.

Add the fixed constraints

Note radiators, columns, sockets, built-in furniture and low ceilings. The current editor handles the floor layout; keep height and service details in your own notes.

Enter the plan and check it

Draw your outline with the room or wall tools. Select a wall to set its endpoint positions or length. All wall measurements in Planlilt are centerline dimensions, so treat the drawing as a layout sketch rather than a construction document.

A quick checklist

Bring a tape measure, a pen, a rough sketch and a second person if useful. Check every wall, opening, fixed fixture and diagonal. Verify the finished plan against the room before ordering anything.

Related: measuring a room · furniture spacing · editable templates

Published by Planlilt. Illustrative planning guidance; verify dimensions and local requirements with qualified professionals where needed.